Maximum Customer Choice participants could request counseling from program staff to guide them to appropriate training selections, but they did not automatically receive counseling. Participants received an individual training account in the amount of $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the program site. Most Maximum Customer Choice participants requested counseling and completed counseling and training program selection in five sessions. Then, participants engaged in their selected training program for an average of 18 weeks.

Structured Customer Choice participants received intensive, mandatory weekly counseling from program staff, in which the counselors directed participants to training programs with high returns on investment (that is, programs anticipated to lead to high earnings gains over participants’ lifetimes relative to the training cost). Participants selected the training program in which they wished to participate, but counselors could deny participants’ selections. Participants also received an ITA of up to $8,000 to cover the cost of training.

Structured Customer Choice participants received intensive, mandatory weekly counseling from program staff, in which the counselors directed participants to training programs with high returns on investment (that is, programs anticipated to lead to high earnings gains over participants’ lifetimes relative to the training cost). Participants selected the training program in which they wished to participate, but counselors could deny participants’ selections. Participants also received an ITA of up to $8,000 to cover the cost of training.

Fathers received life skills training and job placement and could participate in short-term training programs, such as truck driving training, and long-term training, such as heating and air-conditioning repair. All participants were enrolled in life skills training and job placement, but individuals could choose what types of additional program offerings to attend. Eligible individuals lacked high school educational credentials, were unemployed or underemployed, or were referred by their child support agent.

Six employment and training organizations implemented the Fathers at Work Initiative. All sites offered three strategies: employment services, fatherhood workshops, and child support services. Each site had flexibility to determine how services were provided and diverged in how they provided skills training, the intensity of available fatherhood services, and the way they worked with child support agencies.

PFS was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program.

Participants met with a public health nurse when they started the program to receive a comprehensive health assessment. The nurse also acted as a case manager to support and coordinate access to care, as well as to help participants manage and prevent diseases through primary care or referrals and health education. Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a two-hour information session about Medicaid. The program lasted nine months, and participants checked in with the nurse after three, six, and nine months.

The MFSP program implemented by the Atlanta Urban League focused first on providing full-time adult basic education and GED instruction to women with poor reading, writing, or math skills, and then occupational skills training and additional supports once participants overcame academic barriers.

FTP was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the AFDC program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program.